Indeed, in Michigan where carrying firearms openly during a protest is legal, support for Governor Whitmer’s covid-19 emergency measures actually rose after each of two major protests.

The Confederate flags, the Nazi symbolism, and the small groups of people trying to break into the Assembly chamber while they carried rifles seriously turned off the average citizen.

It’s pretty tough to make a case for carrying a Confederate flag in Michigan. I mean, it’s not our heritage. Michigan was firmly on the side of the Union during the Civil War. We share a border with Canada, for heaven’s sake.

The average Michigander looks at symbolism like that and takes offense.